Recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers (2023) and Atlantic Canada's Top Employers (2023):
Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors (Nov 17, 2022)
Here are some of the reasons why BIOVECTRA Inc. was selected as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers (2023) and Atlantic Canada's Top Employers (2023):
- Varying by position, BIOVECTRA offers employees the opportunity to modify their work schedules as needed, from working from home full-time (and coming to the office when required) to three-quarters of the time at home, to 50 per cent home and 50 per cent at the office -- and eligible employees working at home receive the necessary equipment and subsidies for home internet
- BIOVECTRA offers a range of financial benefits, from year-end bonuses to a defined contribution pension plan, to referral bonuses for employees who recruit candidates from their personal networks (to $1,000)
- BIOVECTRA recently introduced maternity leave top-up for new mothers (to 85 per cent of salary for up to 15 weeks) as well as parental leave top-up for fathers and adoptive parents (to 85 per cent of salary for up to 5 weeks)
Employees at BIOVECTRA participate in the Canadian Mental Health Association's Not Myself Today campaign
(Photo credit:
Louise Vessey)
Employer Background
| Industry | Pharmaceutical manufacturing |
| Established in Canada | 1970 |
| Parent company | H.I.G Capital |
| Parent company head office | Miami, FL, United States |
| Major Canadian hiring locations | Charlottetown PE, Windsor NS |
| Full-time employees in Canada | 570 |
| Full-time employees worldwide | 575 |
| Workforce engaged on a contract basis | 3% |
| Average age of employees in Canada | 35 years |
| Longest serving employee | 43 years |
Work Environment Rating: B+
| Hybrid work | internet subsidies, office equipment loan program, varying by position and department, employees have the opportunity to modify their work schedule in keeping with their personal needs, from complete work from home (with the option to come to the office as needed), to a 50/50 or 75/25 split between home and office, to working from home and booking a workspace in one of 6 locations as needed |
| Flexible work options | flexible work hours, shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay), compressed work week, telecommuting |
| Commuter amenities | walk to public transit, transit subsidies, free parking, secure/sheltered bicycle parking, nearby bike sharing station |
| Onsite workplace features | head office consists of manufacturing suites, laboratories and corporate offices, the workplace features telecommuter workstations, telecommuter workstations, sit-stand workstations, nap room, religious observance room, self-serve lunchroom, outdoor patio, discounts at local restaurants, and an outdoor games area with washer toss and bean bag toss |
| Employee lounge amenities | music, television, board games, outdoor games including washer toss and bean bag toss |
| Snacks available | granola bars |
Work Atmosphere & Communications Rating: B
| Employee social committee name | Social Committee (est. 1975) |
| Past social events | hosted numerous virtual events during the pandemic, reintroducing in-person events as restrictions have eased |
| Cultural aspects | casual dress (e.g. jeans) daily, music while working, employee sports teams |
| Employee communications | intranet site, company newsletter, traditional/email suggestion box |
Financial Benefits & Compensation Rating: B+
| Outside salary surveys | participates in outside salary surveys every 12 months |
| Employee salary reviews | individual salaries are reviewed every 12 months |
| Long-term savings | defined-contribution (DC) pension |
| Long-term planning | retirement planning assistance, phased-in retirement work options, life & disability insurance |
| Year-end bonuses | available to all employees |
| Referral bonuses (max) | new employee referral bonuses (up to $1,000) for some positions |
| Signing bonuses | available for some positions |
| Additional financial benefits | corporate discount program (e.g. retail, services, travel, etc.) |
Health & Family-Friendly Benefits Rating: B+
| Health plan premium | as part of the health plan, the employer pays up to 50% of the premiums |
| Flexible coverage | health plan is flexible with adjustable premiums and coverage levels |
| Minimum hours worked for coverage | 20 hours per week |
| Waiting period | there is no waiting period for coverage |
| Family coverage option | yes |
| Dental coverage | routine, restorative, orthodontics |
| Eyecare | $400 every 2 years |
| Paid sick days | employees receive 6 days off each year |
| Health plan includes | traditional coverage (e.g. prescription drugs), employee assistance (EAP) plan, semi-private hospital room, physiotherapy, medical travel insurance, homecare, medical equipment and supplies, massage therapy, nutrition planning, podiatrist, osteopathy, chiropractor, alternative coverage (e.g. acupuncture, naturopathy), virtual healthcare services |
| Health spending account | up to $250 each year |
| Wellness spending account | up to $250 each year |
| Additional health plan information | unlimited coverage for mental health practitioners |
| Additional health and wellness initiatives | hosted two dedicated sessions on mental health and wellness (for employees and management), mental health committee, participates in Bell Let's Talk and Not Myself Today campaigns |
| Maternity top-up (mothers) | up to 85% of salary for 15 weeks |
| Parental top-up (fathers) | up to 85% of salary for 5 weeks |
| Adoption top-up | up to 85% of salary for 5 weeks |
| Additional family-friendly benefits | academic scholarships of up to $1,500 per child |
Vacation & Personal Time-Off Rating: B-
| Vacation allowance | new employees receive 2 weeks of paid vacation after their first year on the job |
| Vacation jump | vacation increases after 3 years of employment |
| Maximum vacation allowance | employees move to a maximum of 5 weeks of vacation over their career |
| Previous experience | considers previous work experience when setting annual vacation for new employees |
| Paid holiday shutdown | during the Christmas to New Year's holiday break, employees receive an additional 1 day off |
| Unpaid leave of absence option | yes |
Employee Engagement & Performance Rating: A
| Employee performance reviews | employees receive individual performance reviews every 12 months |
| Managers receive performance review training | yes |
| 360° feedback option | as part of the review process, performance feedback is also solicited from co-workers and other managers familiar with each employee's work |
| Confidential employee feedback | employees can also provide confidential feedback on their manager's performance |
| Exit interview | exit interview option is available for departing employees |
| Performance recognition | individual performance bonuses, on-the-spot rewards, long-service awards, tailored and unique rewards (e.g. travel) |
| In-house survey period | in-house surveys are conducted every 24 months |
| Outside survey period | outside consultant surveys are held every 12 months |
Training & Skills Development Rating: A+
| Career planning | in-house career planning services, online employee skills inventory |
| In-house training initiatives | apprenticeship/skilled trades programs, mentoring, in-house training, online training, subsidies for professional accreditation |
| Related tuition subsidies | employer covers up to 100% of tuition per year |
| Unrelated tuition subsidies | employer covers up to 100% of tuition per year for courses unrelated to current position |
| Education leave | educational leaves of absence are available |
Community Involvement Rating: B+
| Scope of charitable involvement | local, national |
| Employee charitable involvement | employees are involved in selection of charities, employees receive paid time off to volunteer |
| Total employee volunteer hours (on company time) | over 40 hours last year |
| Total number of charities supported last year | approximately 21 charitable and community organizations were supported last year |
| Some of the community organizations supported | Morell Credit Union Rink, West Royalty Elementary School, Threads for Life, Le Comite Des Fonds Educationnels, Ethan Bethnell BIOVECTRA Scholarship, Hoard College Foundation, Canadian Mental Health Association, Santa's Angels |
| Community highlight | BIOVECTRA relaunched its charitable giving program and launched a formal Donations Committee that work across all locations. The goal is to make the company's charitable giving employee-centred as it works to understand and meet community needs. As part of this program, a charitable committee meets every month to review employee requests in support of charitable causes. |
The Career Directory
BIOVECTRA Inc. has been selected for The Career Directory, our guide to entry-level recruitment for recent college and university graduates.
BIOVECTRA employee
Highlights for New Grads
| Industry | Pharmaceutical manufacturing |
| Full-time employees in Canada | 501 to 750 |
| Parent company | H.I.G Capital |
| Parent company head office | Miami, FL, United States |
| Major Canadian hiring locations | Charlottetown PE, Windsor NS |
| Student opportunities | summer jobs, co-op opportunities |
| Training | subsidies for professional accreditation, orientation program, online training, in-house training, mentoring, in-house career planning services |
| Tuition subsidies (related to job) | yes |
| Starting salary | $45K to $50K |
| Work benefits | health benefits for new employees, flexible work hours, telecommuting, transit subsidies, employees receive paid time off to volunteer |
| Vacation allowance | new employees receive 2 weeks of paid vacation after their first year on the job |
Academic fields recruited
-
Bachelor of Commerce / Business Administration
- Accounting
- Finance
- Human Resources
- Information Systems
- Marketing
-
Bachelor of Engineering
- Biotechnology
- Chemical
- Environmental
- Industrial Engineering
- Mechanical
- Production / Manufacturing
-
Bachelor of Science
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Environmental
- Microbiology
-
Community College Diploma
- Accounting
- Advertising
- Autocad
- Business
- Computer Science
- Electronics Technician
- Engineering Technician
- Human Resources
- Information Technology
- Laboratory Technician
- Marketing / Sales
- Office Administration
- Purchasing / Logistics
- Secretarial
-
Doctorate (Science)
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Chemistry
-
Master of Business Administration
- Accounting
- Finance
- Human Resources
- Information Systems
- Marketing
-
Master of Science
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Environmental
-
Professional Accreditation
- Accounting (CA)
- Accounting (CGA)
- Accounting (CMA)
- Logistics (CITT, CIFFA)
- Microsoft Certifications
- Other Business / Technical/ Industry Certifications
- Purchasing Management (PMAC, CPP)
- Quality Assurance (TQM)
-
Secondary Education
- High School Diploma
Recruits at these schools
- Acadia University
- College of the North Atlantic
- Dalhousie University
- Holland College
- McGill University
- Memorial University
- Mohawk College
- Mount Allison University
- New Brunswick Community College
- Nova Scotia Community College
- Saint Mary's University
- St. Mary's University
- Université de Moncton
- University of New Brunswick
- University of Prince Edward Island